10. Robin’s Little Letter to Hanu

 They were still standing close to each other, the only sound between them was the crashing of the waves. The sea breeze carried a calming, salty scent that danced gently through the night.

  Hanu leaned her head against Robin's chest for a moment before slowly pulling away, standing upright again.

  "It's getting late," she said softly, her eyes fixed straight ahead, too nervous to turn to him.

  "Yeah," Robin replied, just as quietly.

  "If I stay out too long, Zio might get suspicious."

  Robin turned to her quickly. "You think he'll make a fuss if he knows you were talking to me this late?"

  Hanu shrugged. "It's not that… it's just… Zio's loud. Especially when he sees me interacting with you. His mouth's like a megaphone."

  Robin let out a small chuckle and nodded. "It's fine. You can handle them, right? My patience is wearing thin with them."

  Hanu giggled lightly. "You? Patient? I didn't think so."

  "I'm not, really. I'm only patient with you."

  That made Hanu finally look at him. "You always know how to say stuff like that. But then when you're around other people, you go silent like a rock."

  "I know," Robin said, lifting his shoulders in a relaxed shrug. "But I'm not a rock when it's you who's talking."

  Hanu smiled—but quickly looked down. "Here comes the sweet talk again…"

  Robin took one step closer. Now, only inches separated them. Slowly, he raised his hand and gently tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear.

  His movement was careful, like he was touching something fragile.

  "If I were really just smooth-talking," Robin whispered, "you'd have run off by now. But you're still here."

  Hanu parted her lips, but no words came. She just stood there, staring at him. Then, slowly, like her heart spoke before her mind could catch up, she whispered…

  "…I don't even know why. Usually, I get bored with people quickly. But you… you calm me. And you make me curious."

  Robin held her gaze. There were no hugs. No overdone touches. But the feelings between them rang louder than all the noise in the world.

  And then, a small voice rose from below.

  "Hey, are you guys up there?!" Zio's voice rang out from the yard.

  Hanu immediately stepped back in panic. "Crap!"

  Robin stifled a laugh and whispered quickly, "Don't make any sudden moves, or he'll come up."

  Hanu grinned. "Okay. I'm heading back to my room."

  Just as she turned to leave, Robin called out softly.

  "Hanu."

  "Hm?"

  "Someday… will you teach me how to sing?"

  Hanu spun around. "Huh?"

  Robin nodded. "I know my voice sucks. But if it's you teaching me… maybe it'll finally reach someone's heart."

  Hanu froze, then let out a small laugh and covered her face. "You're impossible…"

  Robin simply smiled and gave her a gentle nod, saying nothing more.

---

  The Next Morning – Villa Courtyard

  The sun had just risen. Most of the others were still sleeping or just starting to stir. But Hanu was already outside, sitting quietly in the villa's courtyard. She wore a light hoodie and joggers, a warm cup of tea resting in her hands.

  She stared out at the beach, savoring the calm before the day got busy again.

  Then came the sound of approaching footsteps.

  "Morning," Robin's low voice broke the silence.

  Hanu turned. "You're up?"

  "Yeah, I planned to wake early. You said you wanted to shoot some morning beach content, right?"

  "Oh, right…" Hanu nodded, stifling a small yawn.

  Robin sat down on the chair next to her. After a moment of quiet, he reached into the pocket of his hoodie and pulled out a small notebook.

  "What's that?" Hanu asked.

  Robin handed it to her. "I started writing yesterday. About you."

  Hanu blinked in disbelief. "You… wrote something?"

  Robin gave a slow nod. "Just one page. It was on a whim. Wanna see?"

  She hesitated, then took the notebook and opened it.

  On the very first page, Robin's handwriting appeared neat and deliberate:

>   "I used to think this world was only full of things I needed to protect. But ever since Hanu came along, I realized… sometimes, I want to be protected too. Not from danger. From loneliness."

  Hanu closed the notebook slowly. Her eyes were glassy, but she blinked back the tears.

  "…Did you really write this?"

  Robin looked at her. "I did."

  Hanu took a deep breath. "I didn't think you could write something this beautiful…"

  Robin looked down, a little shy. "That's why I've never shown anyone before."

  In that moment, something stirred inside Hanu. A feeling she hadn't known until now. It wasn't just comfort. It wasn't just curiosity.

  It was admiration.

  She looked at Robin again. Under the morning light, his face looked even more striking.

  But beyond his sharp gaze and quiet demeanor, Robin held a depth that secretly warmed her heart.

  And inside Hanu's calm heart—grew a small, quiet love. Unspoken, but certain.